MLB Projections: Top 10 Third Baseman Heading into 2020
Today, ‘Call to the Pen’ is going to project the top 10 third basemen in baseball heading into the highly anticipated 2020 MLB season.
The third base position is arguably one of the deepest in baseball. From sluggers to elite defenders, and all in between, the hot corner has a surplus of talent. Narrowing down this list to just 10 third basemen was a challenge.
Those who were thought about for this list, but just came up short are Eduardo Escobar, Jose Ramirez, Manny Machado, and Justin Turner. All of these have players have shown they are above-average players in the league, but still fell just short of the list.
#10- Jeff McNeil, New York Mets
After his rookie season in 2018, there were rumors that the Mets were going to include Jeff McNeil in a trade for Robinson Cano. After there was a lot of negative feedback from fans, the Mets held onto McNeil.
In 2019, McNeil hit .318, with an OPS. of .916, slugging 23 home runs and smashing 38 doubles. His power really developed last season and he is going to continue to improve and add more to his game. If he stays healthy, he will have a very strong chance to score 100 runs for the first time this season.
He is a beyond versatile player and can play third, second, left and right. Going into 2020, he will be the primary third baseman for the Mets.
MLB Projections: Top 10 Third Basemen Heading into 2020
#9- Yoan Moncada, Chicago White Sox
Moncada made some of the biggest improvements of all players last season. He really transitioned into a productive bat.
In 2018, he led the league in strikeouts. He still struck out 154 times in 2019, but it was a major improvement from the previous season.
Through 132 games, Moncada hit 25 home runs and drove in 79 runs. He hit .315 and had an OPS. over 900.
If his power continues to develop and he continues to limit the strikeouts, he is going to continue to rise on this list.
Moncada and the White sox are looking to make the postseason for the first time in a while.
#8- Kris Bryant– Chicago Cubs
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Many might make the argument that Kris Bryant is too low on this list. However, this position is beyond competitive and he has proven to have inconsistencies in his game.
He might be on the move, as the Cubs are looking for a change in personnel.
His defense has regressed but has returned.
The Former 2016 NL MVP had a tremendous 2019 campaign, even though the Cubs missed the playoffs. Bryant, who was an All-Star in 2019, hit 31 home runs, drove in 77 runs and had an OPS. over 900 through 147 games.
He is still a major threat in the middle of the Cubs’ order and is looking to have a few more seasons like 2019, so he can maximize his value before his inevitable free agency.
#7- Eugenio Suarez– Cincinnati Reds
Eugenio Suarez is one of the most overlook and underrated players in the National League. The only player to hit more home runs than him last season was Home Run King Pete Alonso, who slugged 53 in his rookie season.
In his age-27 season, Suarez hit 49 home runs, drove in 103 runs and had an OPS> of .930 through 159 games.
Many think that his numbers are skewed because of how much of a hitters’ park Cincinnati’s stadium is, but more than half of his home runs came on the road.
His power is tremendous. That is not up for argument. However, struck out the most in the NL last season, whiffing 189 times.
MLB Projections: Top 10 Third Basemen Heading into 2020
#6-Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox
Right now, Rafael Devers is the sixth-best third baseman in the league. That could change very easily and very soon.
At the age of 22, Devers had 201 hits through 156 games, 32 of them being home runs and 54 of them being doubles, while hitting .311
In just his third major league season, Devers hit over 30 home runs, 100 RBIs and over 50 doubles. Devers was the youngest Red Sox player to hit 30 home runs in a seasons since Tony Conigliaro in 1965.
Devers will be 23 heading into 2020 and he is a dark horse MVP candidate. A batting title could be in his near future.
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#5- Josh Donaldson, Minnesota Twins
As Donaldson just joined the Minnesota Twins on a four-year, $92 million deal, he brings more power to an already beyond powerful lineup.
The 2015 American League MVP is coming off a huge season, where he hit 37 home runs and drove in 94 runs for the Atlanta Braves.
After struggling because of injury during 2017 and 2018, he returned to his elite caliber in 2019 and looks to do the same as he re-enters in American League next season.
His .900 OPS. will bring another elite bat to the AL central.
#4- Matt Chapman, Oakland Athletics
Matt Chapman is a defensive genius and he is becoming a more well-rounded player as he develops more power and consistency at the plate.
In just his second full-season, Chapman became an All-Star and won his second AL Gold Glove at the hot corner, while placing in the top 7 on the MVP ballot in both 2018 and 2019.
Through 156 games last season, He hit 36 home runs and 36 doubles, drove in 91 runs and had a .848 OPS.
Chapman’s glove is what makes him so valuable, but his new-found power is making him elite.
Heading into 2020, Chapman needs to raise his average. If he does, he is going to be a very serious MVP candidate.
MLB Projections: Top 10 Third Basemen Heading into 2020
#3- Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels
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Some will make the argument that Anthony Rendon deserves to be #2 or #1 on this list of third basemen.
Rendon is one of the hardest players in the league to get out. He can hit pitches everywhere in the zone. He is arguably the best two-strike hitter in the majors.
Rendon’s 2019 campaign was beyond elite. Through 146 games, he hit 34 home runs. He also led the NL in doubles with 454 and RBI with 126. He hit .319 and shad an OPS. over 1.000.
His season ended with a Silver Slugger, his second career, a third-place finish on the MVP ballot, a World Series ring, and a $245 million contract from the Angels.
#2- Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
It was tough not to put Arenado as the best third baseman in MLB. He has won SEVEN straight Gold Gloves and has been named to five consecutive All-Star Games.
He has immense power. He can hit for contact. He has so much range at the hot corner and he can make about every throw in the infield.
Last season, through 155 games, he hit 41 home runs, scored 102 runs, drove in 118 runs, hit .315 and had an OPS. of .962.
Arenado is astonishing and some of the things he does on a baseball field is absolutely ridiculous. He has hit at least 37 home runs and 110 RBI since 2015.
He is a top 10 player in the league and an MVP candidate year in and year out. It will be very interesting to see if he finishes 2020 as a member of the Colorado Rockies.
#1- Alex Bregman, Houston Astros
Alex Bregman is just getting started. Each of his seasons seem to be better than the last. His improvement is continuous and vital.
Bregman has taken over as the best hitter on the Astros, by displaying excellent power and consistency at the plate.
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He was second to none other than Mike Trout for the 2019 AL MVP. He hit 41 home runs, 112 RBI and scored 122 runs in 156 games. Bregman is an absolute monster and is only going to get better. The best has yet to come for the 26-year-old.